For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. (Rom. 5:15b)

 

For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. (Rom. 5:16b)

 

If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:17)

 

Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. (Rom. 5:18) 

 

For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Rom. 5:19)

 

But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. (Rom. 5:20)

 

So that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 5:21)

 

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. (Rom. 8:29)

 

And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Rom. 9:30)

 

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind--yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. (Eph. 5:25-27)

 

 

 

 

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29)

 

It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. One, the child of the slave, was born according to the flesh; the other, the child of the free woman, was born through the promise. (Gal. 4:22-23)

 

Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One woman, in fact, is Hagar, from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. (Gal. 4:24-25)

 

But the other woman corresponds to the Jerusalem above; she is free, and she is our mother. (Gal. 4:26)

 

For it is written, “Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children, burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than the children of the one who is married.” (Gal. 4:27)

 

Now you, my friends, are children of the promise, like Isaac. (Gal. 4:28)

 

But just as at that time the child who was born according to the flesh persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the child of the free woman.” (Gal. 4:29-30)

 

So then, friends, we are children, not of the slave but of the free woman. (Gal. 4:31)

 

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (Rom. 8:22-23)

 

Thou art all fair, my love; and there is no spot in thee. (Song 4:7)

 

 

one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.